KUALA LUMPUR: Despite failing to reach the Nations Cup semi-finals in Gniezno, Poland, Malaysia's world hockey ranking moved up one rung to 12th.
National head coach Sarjit Singh said he was happy that Malaysia's world ranking has gone up, but he was not pleased with his team conceding late goals in three matches.
"Against Pakistan and Canada, we started off well to take a 3-0 lead, but our defence crumbled in the last quarter and gave away goals."
In their Group B matches, Malaysia drew 4-4 with world No. 15 Pakistan, lost 3-1 to world No. 9 France and beat world No. 20 Canada 4-2.
"We need to play with more composure and cut down on our mistakes."
Sarjit said although Malaysia failed to reach the semi-finals, he wants the players to show killer instinct in the fifth placing match agaisnt South Korea tomorrow.